114 LARGE GAME. CHAP. n. 



not impossible that some one may exist to whom it is 

 news that an African rhinoceros's hide is easily penetrable 

 by spears, not to speak of bullets, that is, so long as the 

 animal is alive ; for when the skin is taken off and dried 

 it becomes so hard that it is even doubtful whether a 

 hardened ball would then pierce it. 



Generally speaking, it may be laid down as a rule, 

 that whenever shells are found efficacious, hardened 

 bullets will not only be unnecessary, but even not so use- 

 ful, though to this buffalo prove an exception, as, at cer- 

 tain angles, it is possible to fire a shell into the vitals 

 without meeting with any resistance sufficient to cause it 

 to burst prematurely ; while, when the part presented to 

 the hunter entails the breaking of a large bone, a har- 

 dened bullet becomes necessary. 



Too much tin is often accidentally added, and the 

 result of so doing is diametrically opposite to that caused 

 by its absence. The bullet will then penetrate through 

 the bone as far as the projecting force will carry it, retain- 

 ing meanwhile its exact spherical form. In a word, it 

 combines the maximum of penetration with a minimum 

 concussion. In proof of this it may be stated, that 

 instances have occurred of the same bullet having been 

 cut out of the carcase, and reloaded several times in suc- 

 cession, and having, in the hands of natives accustomed 

 to stalk close, and make sure of their aim, killed several 

 head of game without being recast. Indeed, were it not 

 for the brittleness of overhardened bullets, they would be 

 in general request for such shots as require great penetra- 

 tion ; but, unfortunately, they cannot be depended upon, 

 and often split and glance harmlessly off the first thing 



